Page 14 


Hear the student voice


ESSA is changing its name so it can reach out to more school students. Jessie Seal explains.


The English Secondary Students’ Association (ESSA) is the organisation for student voice in the UK. It is run by young people for young people and we aim to represent all school students.


ESSA’s National Council is made up of 18 11- to 20-year-olds, all of whom are in education or training. They decide where ESSA is heading, what projects to run, and what campaigns to focus on. The National Council also represents ESSA, working with policy-makers at national and local levels (often reminding them that not all of us understand their jargon!).


We launched five years ago. Since then we’ve achieved a lot. As well as establishing ourselves as the national voice for young people in education, we’re running continuous projects with those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) and we’ve trained countless students in student voice skills.


The NUT has been a long-term supporter of ESSA and we are grateful for that. In the words of Salil Bhate, ESSA’s National Council vice chair: “Student voice is not just about young people’s demands… it can only work if teachers and students work together.”


Whether it’s informal peer education, students as associate governors or young people as lesson observers, all these student voice innovations will only work with the support of enthusiastic teachers.


Student voice must also be an activity for all groups of young people. Throughout its time, ESSA has noticed one thing in particular – all too often student voice and engagement is only an opportunity given to the most articulate (and often more academically able) students. ESSA feels passionately that this should not be the case. All young people have the right to be consulted in matters affecting their education and we should ensure that we listen to those young people for whom the education system is failing.


In June 2009, ESSA launched Real Talk, a project that works over an intensive period with NEET youngsters or those with special educational needs to give them training in student voice skills and peer leadership. As one young person said about the sessions: “I thought we couldn’t do anything. I do not feel like that now. I feel like I do have some power. Now I feel more up for asking questions.”


We’re now focusing on several other projects to make sure that all young people are ‘up for asking questions’ as part of their education.


ESSA’s training is something we’re proud of as it has been developed and led by young people and peer trainers. We offer training to school councils, forums or students who want to run a campaign. It covers confidence in communication,


If you would like more information or advice on student voice activities, call student support officer Anysha on 020 8981 5104 or email support@ studentvoice.co.uk.


campaigning for change and asking the right questions, along with any specific skills that members of the group want to learn.


So, what next? ESSA wants to keep growing and continuing to represent all young people in their education. We want to make sure every young person is able to speak up for themself and that decisions are made accordingly. We want every school to have effective methods of consulting their students (sometimes school councils aren’t the best way).


We are also changing our name to Student Voice. This means we will be able to work with young people across the UK and continue to represent the voice of young people in education.






Jessie Seal has been involved with ESSA for three years in a variety of roles. She has now been elected to the board of the organising body of European school student unions.

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16